"The preservation of freedom is the protective reason for limiting and decentralizing governmental power. But there is also a constructive reason. The great advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science or in literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government."
by:
Milton Friedman
(1912-2006) Nobel Prize-winning economist, economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan, "ultimate guru of the free-market system"
Source:
"Capitalism and Freedom"
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Lincoln's war of Northern aggression, called the "Civil War",went a long way in centralizing power in Washington and it's been getting worse ever since.
 -- jim k, Austin, Tx     
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    Think USSR -- once 'each according to his needs' was imposed, there was no impetus (other than the gain of political favors) for innovation, the country was driven into mass poverty for all. Could such a thing happen in the USA? It already is -- and not just here, but in the EU and every other nation that has bowed to the bankster cartel that steals the country's money and then puts it in perpetual debt forever. The only smart solution is to be the first to crash and then let everyone else bail you out. And over and over, the US ends up footing the bill. This is war. Americans should ready themselves for battle.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Centralized government power is essential for preserving and maximizing freedom and security (and prosperity) in the face of global biosecurity threats.  The global eradication of small pox did more to end human suffering and death than were caused by all the wars, revolutions, genocides and homicides during the last century.   The best results in fighting the the Covid19 pandemic will require similar centralized and even globalized government power.  


     -- Chuck Woolery, Rockville     
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    Stoking the fears of the Wuhan flu to justify an unconstitutional power grab.. Yeah that's the ticket! 
    The further we go down this road of centralization the closer the United States comes to landing on the historical trash heap of fallen civilizations.


     -- Mick, Pleasant Hill     
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     -- Mary, MI      
    Decentralizing government is only a result of recognizing and ensuring individual sovereignty, inalienable rights, liberty and "the laws of nature and of nature's God" (Declaration of Independence). A body politic that is made up of We The People's servants (acting at natural law to ensure and enhance rights, liberty and individual sovereignty) — as is violently antithetical to — a supreme regnant (government) with governing leaders/rulers, law makers/enforcers and ultimate authority/power of individuals will only higher sufficient personnel to accomplish the job's duties (local, regional, national, etc.). Some great advances (such as nuclear power) have developed because of the destructive designs of centralized governments BUT, that is not to say the invention would not have occurred sooner if laissez-faire innovation was present.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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